Police investigating an incident in High Street, Henfield, in which thieves ram-raided a branch of Barclays Bank to remove the cash machine are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

It happened just before 2am on Sunday (15 April) when a yellow JCB hydraulic digger was used to pull the machine from the wall and load it into a black Nissan Navara 4x4 pick-up truck, which then made off. The JCB, stolen from Edburton, around an hour beforehand, was left in the middle of the street.

Prior to the raid the offenders stopped to remove the bucket from the JCB in Bramlands Lane, Henfield, at 1.25am for around 20 minutes

The bank machine, which contained more than £88,000 in cash and the pick-up were both later found burned out in Oakendon Woods, Dunsfold.

The suspects had arrived at around 2.45am. Just before 4am the suspects were confronted by a member of the public whose vehicle was rammed by a grey Audi A6 estate car as it left the scene.

At least three suspects are involved. It is thought initially one made off from the bank on foot, the others in the Navara.

Detective Sergeant Kieran McDonald said: “ We are investigating this ram raid and linked criminality. We are immensely grateful to the local community for assisting us in our enquires to date. We are interested in speaking to anyone who witnessed the event or who saw any activity at the stated locations and times. We would also appreciate it if people could review any dash cams or CCTV which were recording at or near the locations described, and if they find any significant material to contact us. We are particularly interested to hear about any vehicles that appeared to be in convoy with the Navara. ”

Any witnesses or anyone who has information about any elements of the incident is asked to report details online (https://sussex.police.uk/appealresponse) or phone 101, quoting serial 157 of 15/04.

Alternatively, they can visit the Crimestoppers website (www.crimestoppers-uk.org) or contact the independent charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 25-year-old man from Henfield has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and released under investigation.